10. Lost But Not Forgotten

The wolf slipped through the forest like a serpent, unheard and unseen. He sensed that something was near. The wolf found an old wooden well standing alone. Looking about for anyone or anything the wolf jumped onto the side of the well and looked inside. A note lay unread and helpless at the bottom of the dark hole. The wolf jumped down and took the note. Jumping back out, he took it back to his den.

Ginta and Hakkaku sat together quietly thinking about Koga. Where was he? Will he come back? The wolf trotted up to the two and sat before them, the note in it's mouth. Ginta and Hakkaku took it.

"Is it from Koga?" Ginta said, looking over Hakkaku's shoulder.

"I don't know, but...somehow it has to be." Hakkaku stared at the note. "If it is from him does he really expect us to know how to read it?"

"At least he's okay then?" Ginta had a worried expression on his face.

"He's Koga. I know he's okay." Hakkaku patted the wolf's head.

Ginta just nodded.

Koga paced back and forth thinking to himself. He longed to see Ginta and Hakkaku again. He must see them. He sat down at the kitchen table and tried to write a letter himself. Even though he didn't know if they would recieve any letters he sent he sent sent them anyway. It gave him hope.

Holding the letter up Koga reviewed his writing:

Dear Ginta and Hakakku,

I am okay. I will find out how to get through the well soon. Do not worry about me.

See you soon,

Koga.

And on the back read:

I promise

Koga went out to the well and dropped the letter inside. Poof. It was gone. Hw walked back inside, Ginta and Hakakku still in his mind.

Ginta sat back on Koga's fur bed and shut his eyes. Hakakku joined him.

"Here Ginta, have some meat." Hakakku showed the meat to Ginta.

"I'm not hungry." Ginta looked away.

"Koga's dine Ginta. Just believe in him, okay? Please. C'mon eatin his honor." Hakakku tried again.

Ginta took the meat and took tiny bites. "Thanks."

Hakakku smiled and bit out of his share.

Everyone thought that Koga was lost.

Lost.

But not forgotten.

Never forgotten.